Kozhikode to be third nokkukooli-free city

KOZHIKODE: Following the success of the banning of ‘nokkukooli’ (wage demanded by labourers for just watching the loading and unloading of goods) in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, Kozhikode will be declared the third ‘nokkukooli-free’ city in the state from next month.As part of the unification of loading and unloading charges, the Labour Department has extended the ban on the obnoxious practice to all the corporations in the state. The department has selected Kozhikode to be declared the next nokkukooli-free city and as part of the implementing this decision, the Labour Department will discuss the issue with various trade unions in the city.“The department officials have been directed to upgrade the website of the Labour Commissionerate for this purpose,” said Minister for Labour Shibu Baby John. The loading and unloading charges of building construction materials and furniture also have been revised in view of the complaints that a section of workers are demanding exorbitant rates.The initiative will later be extended to all the district headquarters and municipalities and in the third phase, to panchayats. Unified fee structure will be implemented in all corporations and the labourers will not be allowed to charge for supervision of unloading, said Shibu Baby John. The department has been instructed to initiate stringent action against those who demand exorbitant rates or misbehave with the clients.As per the scheme, the fare for articles to be unloaded can be remitted in advance in all the branches of the State Bank of Travancore. The application containing the list of goods and its fares will be available at  Headload Workers Welfare Fund offices and on the website of the Labour Commissionerate. The workers can claim the amount remitted in the bank from Headload Workers Welfare Fund Board office or from the local office of the Board, said Labour Department officials.The applicant has to submit three copies of the application form along with payment.The original copy will be kept in the bank, the duplicate with the applicant and the third copy will be given to the workers who unload the goods. In case of any dispute, the complaints could be solved through the Headload Workers Welfare Fund Board and District Labour Office. The complainants can also contact the Labour Department through the helpline number 0471-155300-3 for settling disputes.